Planning my parents' 30th anniversary for next month and I'm in charge because I live closest. 8 people, Astoria preferred since they're on 30th Ave. Restrictions are making my head spin: my sister is vegan, my aunt has celiac (not just a preference), and my uncle thinks black pepper is spicy. Mom wants a sit-down dinner, not a bar, and Dad wants whole fish. I called Taverna Kyclades but they don't take reservations? Help. Is there anywhere in Astoria for this group or do I need to go to Manhattan?

Kyclades is a no-go for 8 with celiac anyway — line aside, they're slammed and cross-contact is real. For Astoria, I'd look at Bahari Estiatorio. Big Greek room, whole fish, lemon potatoes, not too clubby. If they can handle more casual, Duzan covers the vegan/celiac/no-spice crowd with hummus, rice, chicken, salads. But for a 30th anniversary you probably want tablecloths. Call Bahari and ask for the side room; they've handled big parties forever.

Agree on Duzan for the diet matrix, but it's loud and half the time you're ordering at the counter. Not a 30th anniversary move. Telly's Taverna might work too, but the room is brighter. If the uncle thinks pepper is spicy, Greek taverna food is exactly where you want to be: lemon, oregano, olive oil, maybe some dill. Just don't let them bring the spicy feta dip. Aliada on Broadway is also decent for groups if Bahari is booked, but I've found the back room can get warm. Ask when you reserve.

Wait, Duzan is the corner place? I went once and got the bowl with everything, but I definitely ordered the red sauce and my mouth was on fire. So a no-spice uncle would need to be careful there. For celiac, is the rice cooked with butter or stock? My cousin is celiac and I'm trying to understand what questions to ask. Definitely watching this thread because we have the same mix but only 4 people.

I'd narrow this to Bahari if you want a true sit-down anniversary and can confirm in advance. I've booked 10 there for a baptism lunch; they put us in the front room near the fish display? Not silent, but not Duzan loud. The key is not just saying 'gluten-free' but being specific with the host and again with your server.

• For celiac: no fryer items, no pita, no orzo. Grilled whole fish, lemonato chicken, and lemon potatoes are usually okay, but you must ask about prep surfaces and whether anything gets dusted with flour.
• For vegan: ask if the greens or beans are finished with butter. Horta, gigantes, fava, and boiled greens are usually safe, but it depends on the kitchen that day.
• For no-spice: say 'zero black pepper or chili flakes' because Greek kitchens use black pepper as a default, even on roasted vegetables.

Ovelia is smaller and more date-night; for 8 on a Saturday it can feel cramped. Aliada is okay too, but the menu runs a little more modern, so fewer plain options for the uncle. I'd call Bahari mid-afternoon, ask for a table away from the bar, and mention the celiac in the reservation notes. If they can't give you the side room, ask if an early 5:30/6:00 slot is calmer.

Thank you! This is super helpful. Mom gets overwhelmed when there are too many loud speakers, so I'll call Bahari and ask for that side room or an early table. Does everyone think Duzan's red sauce is the kind where the heat sneaks up? My family would not survive. Also @astoria_arch when you say 'front room' do you mean near the entrance? Is that better or worse for noise?

Jumping in because I was at Bahari for a family lunch with 12 last spring. We were in the side room? It's to the left when you walk in? Maybe that's the front room. It was fine for noise, but there was a table of 20 next to us so I'd still ask for a corner. My aunt has celiac and she ordered grilled branzino and lemon potatoes with no issue. I'm not vegan, but the table got horta and gigantes and my vegan cousin ate those. Just alert the server again when you sit.

@firstbodega the rice at Duzan is fine for celiac as far as I know, but if you have real celiac always tell them no pita chips in the bowl. The red sauce is no joke if you're 'pepper is spicy' — I'd steer him to white sauce only. For the anniversary: Bahari side room, early 5:30, tell them it's a family thing and ask if cake is allowed. Some places are weird about outside cake, but Greek spots usually don't care if you buy dessert too.

To close the loop on the noise question: at Bahari the front room near the entrance has the fish display and tends to be busier at the door; the side room to the left is the better request for 8. It's not a private room, but the noise stays lower than the back near the kitchen, especially if you ask for the table by the far wall rather than the pass-through to the restrooms.

On the celiac thing, the host usually puts it in when you call, but you should still remind the runner because bread hits the table fast. I watched them deliver bread to our group before the server got there, and my cousin had to swap plates. Mention celiac again when you order, and ask that the fish not be finished with anything that touched flour. For vegans, double-check the horta and gigantes; most days they are vegan, but the kitchen may add butter to the greens if they are low on olive oil.

Outside dessert: I've never had them refuse a small birthday cake, but ask on the phone. Otherwise their orange/custard pie is not reliably gluten-free? Actually not sure, so if that matters bring something from a dedicated GF bakery. Good luck.